FEARS that school budgets are “falling off a cliff” edge have been soothed.

Last June, school budgets in Powys were predicted to show a deficit of £4.9 million for the current financial year, and £9.2 million for 2021/22.

Powys Council's cabinet had to approve deficit budgets for 27 of the county's 93 schools which were unable to show a balanced budget, and repayment plans were put together with governors and heads.

And despite concerns being raised at the council's finance panel, council finance chiefs say that progress is being made to improve schools' financial positions.

Liberal Democrat councillor for Crickhowell, Cllr John Morris, said:  “The projection going forward looks as if school budgets are falling off a cliff, there does not seem to be an upturn at all."

But finance portfolio holder, Cllr Aled Davies (Conservative – Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnat & Llansilin) said the figures are juse a snapshot of the situation from last June.

Cllr Morris, added: “What confidence do we have that governing bodies will take action and that notices of concern and warnings are being acted upon?”

Head of finance Jane Thomas added: “I’m heavily involved in meetings with schools around those notices.

"I know that 100 per-cent of governing bodies are now working with the authority to address some of the long time deficits that we have seen in some of our schools.

“We know that it’s a work in progress, but our discussions with schools show they are in a better place to balance their funding and have clear recovery plans.

“I won’t say it will cover all of the deficits because some are long standing and some are so significant they won’t be covered in one or two years, they will be longer term plans for those schools.”

In March the council agreed to give an extra £6million to the schools and education service taking it up to £98.6million for 2020/21.